Dark City is very quietly, one of the most beautiful and interesting films of the 90s. In terms of high concept storytelling, this is top tier. In terms of the atmosphere and the effects, remember that this film pre-dates the Matrix by a year, and it pre-dates Inception by 12 years. The best experiences we ever have with movies, is seeing things we have not seen before. Dark City remains unique to this day. I also want to point out, the performances in this film are fantastic - especially Rufus Sewell and Jennifer Connelly. Great reaction as always James!

Oh shit, someone watching Dark City! One of my favorite movies. Doesn't get the recognition it deserves.

I freaking LOVE THIS MOVIE and nobody ever talks about it. Fantastic production design, fantastic villains, fantastic twist, and a highly underrated score. Just great. Would have loved more movies set in this universe.

This movie is incredible, my roommate at the time and I saw this theatrically in a empty theater and it scrambled our brains in the best possible way.👍

So glad this movie came to you. This is a very under-appreciated film that so many missed out on. To me, at the time, it was mind-blowing

What a masterpiece. One of my all-time favorites.

I remember seeing this movie as a kid and not really understanding what was going on, but I thought the look and atmosphere were really fascinating 👀

This movie is phenomenal! I saw it in the theater and later bought the dvd. On the dvd, Roger Ebert does the commentary, and one of the things that he really loved is the fact that in the third act, instead of breaking into a ton of action, like other movies, they actually take the time to give more narrative. Great film! 👍

The disc versions of Dark City have a full-length commentary track with Roger Ebert doing an analysis of the movie. Highly recommended.

Yasssssss, this is one of my favorites from my teenage hood, I remember seeing this in the theater 🍻 *** shout out to Strange Days (1995)

Good movie with great performances all around and some neat ideas/worldbuilding. Keifer Sutherland in particular really turns in an interesting character. And damn does Jennifer Connelly look amazing in retro styles 😍 (definitely check her out in The Rocketeer).

You've been on a streak recently where you've watched some of the best films of all time. I think this is unquestionably one of the best science fiction films ever made and one of the best noir films ever made. Roger Ebert used to give a frame by frame analysis of this movie. Every frame of this movie is a painting.

Yooo I'm so glad you did Dark City! My brother (RIP) put me onto this one when I was a kid. It quickly became a favorite putting a new spin on the two genres. Also brings back great memories. Thanks for this Bro!

This film blew me away when I saw it in the theater! I saw it 3 times in one week! The issue was this film was covered over by the continuing juggernaut success of Titanic and it wasn't marketed well, as New Line didn't quite know what they had. I'll say the original trailer is fire, though! Dark City is a Top 5 all-time Sci fi film for me. Roger Ebert declared it his film of the year, even recording a commentary on the DVD! This movie was out a year before The Matrix and, while I dug The Matrix, I think this is the superior film! So glad you got into it to the level you did!

I'm so happy to see you react to Dark City, it really is a hidden gem. I remember watching this at the Cinema and it totally blew me away, I'd never seen anything like it at the time.

I am so happy you enjoyed this movie as much as you did. I loved this movie so much the first time I saw it. I think I randomly picked it up having no idea what was in store and it blew me away. The concept and visuals were like nothing I had ever seen before. So many years later it still sticks with me and continues to amaze me. Loved your reaction.

This is one of my favorite all time movies. I remember the audience going NUTS when the Shell Beach wall reveal happened (remember, this was pre THE MATRIX so this all felt next level to those who didn't walk out thinking it was too weird). On the original DVD, one of the commentary tracks was Roger Ebert just talking about all the ways the filmmaking impressed him. The director's cut is a little bit better and I wish had been the theatrical release (it annoyed me that the studio added in a voice over narration for the theatrical version, it's that Blade Runner problem of assuming the audience needs it hand held).

This is one of my all time favorite movies. It perfectly mixes sci-fi, noise, and psychological together.

I'm glad you enjoyed the movie. I suspect you watched an edition that had the opening monologue that sorta explains the plot, which was a last minute alteration. The original intent (existing in the director's cut) was to throw audiences blind into an "amnesiac noir tale" and just totally blow viewers away when it turns out to actually be a sci-fi story. But it doesn't change the fact you had a great time with this film. It really is a good movie that was passed over.

I saw this movie when it aired on TV here in Australia, and since then I've always wondered how it has consistently slipped under the radar for most people. It's one of those hidden gems, and it needs to be brought out into the light.

This is one of my fave movies of this genre. I got the pleasure of seeing it in the theater and the whole crowd was speechless. Keefer's acting was mind-blowing.

I grew up on the Science Fiction movies of the 1960s, 70s and 80s, so I knew everything there was to know about special effects, being the nerd that I was. But when "Dark City" came out, I had never heard of CGI. In the early 1990s, Computer Graphics meant cheesy 8-bit video arcade games. So I watched the Dark City changing scenes, watched the small shacks become skyscrapers, watched small, dirty rooms become magnificent chambers, and I wondered at the model-building geniuses who had put together these physical models that could morph so completely. It was a few years before I learned that it was all done in computers powerful enough to make Zeroes and Ones look photorealistic. And then to have all this technology at hand, and still give us a script that was self-consistent, with well-drawn characters about whom we cared, and a storyline that was mysterious and yet compelling, with imagination and originality and great acting too! It was too much to ask for, and still, here was this surprise gift from Hollywood.

I'm glad you enjoyed Dark City! I wish someone had given you the heads up to watch the Director's cut instead, as the biggest change is that it completely omits the opening narration, just dropping you straight into the movie. Makes it have even more of a wtf factor, but the studio decided people were just going to be lost without it, so it was added.

Finally I found someone who reacted to this 90s Classic!! I loved it when it came out and was given to me on DVD as a present with my first DVD player, so I've seen it like 100 times 😆 and it gets better every time! Great reaction!

What most impressed me about the ending is that the feeling isn't really one of 'truimphant win over evil', but rather both the music and the tone of the dialogue is one of a pyrrhic victory. Murdock has control over the machine and the city ship, but he can't return anyone to where the Strangers took them from, or restore who they once were. He knows they are all where and who they will be from now on, all lost in the stars. And, for as long as they last, co-existing with the Strangers. That ending was a subtle one that I find many people don't pick up on, and shows the hand of a master storyteller.

The similarities to The Matrix are mostly coincidental; both productions began, independently, around the same time, but they were similar enough that The Matrix production crew used some of Dark City's sets when they were done with them. I think this is actually the better movie in terms of fleshing out the concept and getting under your skin in a creepy way, but there's just nothing in terms of entertainment value that can compare to Woo-Ping's wire-fu sequences, although the buildings growing like time lapse vines during "The Tuning" comes pretty close

Stunning film. I find it quite funny how often during this time period Jennifer Conley ends up at the end of piers looking out to sea. This Dark City, House of Sand and Fog and Requiem for a Dream.

Dark City is one of my favorite films. People are always comparing this to the Matrix, but I think a better comparison is The Truman Show-watch that next if you haven’t yet. I’ve been loving your videos for the past couple weeks or so. You watch a lot of great movies that most “reactors” seem to miss.

Another VR based movie from that same year was The Thirteenth Floor. Seriously underrated movie. One of my favorites.

I fell in love with this film ever since I'd initially watched it in the theatres. To this day, Dark City (1998) is my third favourite film, behind Blade Runner (1982) and Lawrence of Arabia (1962).

This movie was arguably as "revolutionary" as The Matrix, but it just didn't get any publicity at all. It's a shame because the themes it deals with is quite intellectually interesting, and the way it tries to convey those themes is very cool.

The way he gets his memories back and it keeps flashing back to just go deeper. I saw this in theaters when it came out, i was 14 or 15 and i remember being blow away. I come back to this every couple of years and it always manages to keep me entertained. I love the director's cut.

OMG! It's happening!!! I saw this in the theater as a teen and was blown away.

This may be one of your best reactions! Glad you enjoyed it! Imagine seeing Dark City, Donnie Darko & The Matrix within the same period. My mind was warped from age 17 and forward 🤯

I got to see this in the theater back when, and sadly we were 2 of maybe 8-9 people during primetime hours. I loved it.

Such a gorgeous movie! And it's right up there with Westworld and Inception for making you question the nature of reality. Glad you liked it and hopefully the exposure you're giving it inspires other people to check it out!

Wow! This film takes me back. "Something Wicked This Way Comes" (based on the Ray Bradbury story) is dark fantasy/ horror with elements of sci-fi mixed in. Not talked about much, but certainly worth a viewing. Saw it as a kid an it really put the hook in me.

I'm so glad that Dark City is getting the love it truly deserves. ❤❤❤

When the video was uploaded I hadn't seen Dark City yet, so I proposed to watch it with my friends and we were amazed we had never heard of that movie before. A great discovery! You caught me off-guard when you ended the video with "Sleep." Nice touch!

I'm so happy that you enjoyed this one so much! I loved watching your reaction. This is one of my favorite movies of all time and I feel like it's not as well-known as it should be. Glad you finally got to see it!!

Definitely, one of the greatest sci-fi movies ever made. Great concepts, great script, great set designs, great performances and great direction from Proyas. The noir/detective story elements are the ones which elevate the whole concept, making the atmosphere a character in itself. That's a shame it didn't have the success it fully deserved. And you should have watched the Director's Cut version, it's a superior movie overall. And, most importantly, it got rid of the voiceover narration in the beginning, which practically gave away the whole plot.

Guys...what did you think about that ending!? Want to vote on what I should watch next? Click here! www.patreon.com/jamesvscinema Be safe out there and enjoy the day!

This is one of the most underrated sci-fi masterpieces ever. Now I gotta rewatch it...thanks.

The favorite movie of my dad😍so overwhelming to watch you see this masterpiece 🤩 you should watch i-robot if haven't already see it 😏

James, congrats good sir. Your edification has been so enjoyable to watch. After seven years of banging my head against the wall, I’ve finally gotten full time at the apple store, and I wanted to let you know that on payday I will become a Patreon of yours. The first, and out of all the reactors I watch I gotta say I can’t wait. Keep up the good work man. Talk to you next Friday!

The Director's Cut of Dark City is absolutely the only version to watch. The theatrical cut has that studio mandated voice over that demystifies most of the film right at the start.

I remember seeing this in theaters when it came out in the 90s and I knew how special this film was when it came out. This movie went over most people's heads back then. It was definitely ahead of it's time. Such an underrated classic.

Great choice, brilliant movie! Film Noir has always felt to me like an exploration of the human condition, especially darkness/redemption and to then meld that with Science Fiction brings that to new heights. Definitely one I rewatch often.

The year this came out Gene Siskel named this film as the best of that year. The phone booth scene in the beginning is one of the best lessons in filmmaking. Cinematography, screenplay, and setting the atmosphere of a mystery! Awesome film!!

I've only started watching your reaction video and I am smiling ear to ear. Long before I read this was one of Roger Ebert's favorite movie of that year, I saw the trailer in the theater and saw Dark City when it opened. Whether the theatrical version or the Director's cut (both I own on DVD), this is a unique and interesting movie. The production design, the music and especially the story catapult it to true cult classic status. If more people knew about the movie, it would be deemed a classic in the same breath 2001 is considered a classic. Now I'll undo the pause and see how close your reaction was like mine on first viewing. As always, I really enjoy catching your videos.

Criminally underrated film. I love that you watched this.

The fish shot is really important at the beginning. It shows he has empathy and not a serial killer.

The main "bad guy" is Richard O'Brien, he wrote and starred in the Rocky Horror Picture Show, the stage version and the movie.

I’m a 73 year old woman and I just watched Dark City before I watched your review. Well done young man. I had to wrangle what I was seeing. Loved your review.

Interesting to note that in the space of two years, three films came out that examined the nature of reality, identity and the self, and our relationship with technology in intriguing and unique ways: Truman Show, Dark City and The Matrix. 1998's Truman Show was directed by an Australian and written by a New Zealander. Dark City, also in 1998 was conceived of and directed by an Australian. And in 1999, The Matrix was filmed in Australia and reused many of Dark City's sets. As an Aussie, that makes me smile a bit. ;)

I had never even heard of this movie until another KZfaqr mentioned it in passing. I'm so glad I looked into this movie. It's fantastic

Criminally underrated. A certified classic indeed

One of those films me and my mates saw first week in the UK...LOVED IT! blew our minds A week later, the reviews come out..... and it kinda bombed Glad to see it get another chance! Keep up the good work x

The director's cut of this is worth seeing as well.

One of the greatest underrated gems out there. I'm glad you had the chance to experience this.

This movie definitely deserves all the accolades and wow's that it gets. Always been one of my favorites. Thanks for helping me relive it, at least a little bit, through your eyes for the first time.

Aw man, for a second there. I thought your were watching DARK, and I got hyped as fuuuuuuudge... One of the goats of tv.

This film is such a nice hidden gem, an absolute freaking DIAMOND

This movie changed my life. I saw it in 98, when I was way too young lol. It was great to see someone watch it now, and get to relive that first viewing. Thanks!

Saw for the first time when I was 14 and was blown away. Incredible story that builds a mystery that keeps you engaged and strings along big philosophical questions of the nature of our personal identity. Then when they get to revealing the final mystery of Shell Beach and why it is a Dark City it was such an epiphany of perception and reality. Its always stuck with me.

I'm fully convinced this movie would have been The Matrix if The Matrix itself had never happened. Dark City is a brooding and fascinating amalgamation of Film Noir and science fiction, like if Blade Runner was a 50's pulp comic. A gem of a film that never gets nearly the credit it deserves and in my opinion one of Kiefer Sutherland's most notable roles.

There was also "The 13th floor". It's like these 3 movies competed to make the best movie out of the same idea

Dark City is one of my favorite science fiction films ever made. The film is pure cinema, and I love every frame. So glad you saw it and gleaned something from it.

The big reveal of The City in the theater was one of those unforgettable moments in my life.

I can't believe you did this one.. It's one of my favs... no one ever does it. Thank you. Great reaction.

Your exuberance is kinetic and palpable

Bro, I am so happy you watched this! When I first saw this it blew my mind so much I had some intense space dreams. One of my all time favorites.

I'm glad you enjoyed this so much, it's one of my favorite movies. I love how it goes from noir mystery to sci-fi thriller to reality-bending sci-fi to anime showdown. Fun fact: A girl I knew in high school had moved here from Australia, where the film was shot. She and a bunch of her friends were extras in the Strangers' lair - they all had to shave their eyebrows for the makeup.

Definitely one of my favs from my teenhood. Love you are going trough all these classic ones & fun to see you so excited about this one, it is a wicked movie :D

Very stoked you reacted to this, such a good film.

I saw this on the big screen when it came out. THAT, my friend, is an experience! How this masterpiece remains so relatively unknown to the general public is one of the great mysteries of the universe. This and "The Thirteenth Floor", another sci-fi/mystery masterpiece that hardly anyone even knows exists.

My man picking my favorite movies! You're a good egg! I love endings that make you think. And this movie really made me question alot about the ending, the how, where etc

The end when the water comes out gives me goosebumps every time

Great video! I am so glad people are rediscovering this Scifi Classic! It is so deserving of praise for what it did way back in the 90s.

This is among my first recommendations to people. Few have heard of it and they all seem to comeback amazed by it.

So cool to see how immersed and mind lown you were. That's exactly how I felt my first time

Thanks for this! I have loved this film since it came out. I remember Ebert couldn't stop raving about how great it was back in the day. The spiral imagery throughout has always stuck with me as a great image to use in such a mystery as you get closer and closer to the truth in the middle.

Awesome vid. One of my favorite movies. Glad you enjoyed it :)

I saw this in the cinema when it came out. I've loved it ever since. Also loved you 'dialing up the scifi', James!

I am so happy you got this, I haven't watched the reaction yet, but I believe I suggested this film a couple of weeks ago....AWESOME

The look of this movie is so iconic. It definitely influenced popular cinema for years.

Thank you for reacting to this film, been a favorite of mine since it first came out back in '98, and its always remained an unappreciated classic, IMO. Glad to see it shared with a new audience.

Glad the algorithm pointed me to your channel. I really enjoyed this movie when it came out, and I'm glad you seemed to dig it, too! Can't wait to check out more of your stuff. New sub well earned! :)

Dark City was one of my favorites! Wow! Thanks for showing it!

This is one of the most underrated movies i ever saw. Absolutley brilliant. But almost nobody talks about it.

James, I am so glad you like this movie and I love listening to artists talk about art on KZfaq. When I first saw Dark City it popped my skull open. I'm always grateful when I see imagination at play . The heart and mind in motion. Artist have the ability to prove that the soul is in motion. I wish you would put "City of Lost Children" on your patreon poll as it is another extraordinary journey through the whims of hopeful dreams.

I am still, to this day, flabbergasted that hardly anyone has ever heard of this movie. a masterpiece from start to finish, imo.

There are three directors of that era (1990-2000+) that made masterpieces but are underlooked. Alex Proyas with Dark City and the Crow. Tarsem Singh with The Cell and The Fall and Vincent Ward with Map of the HUMAN Heart and What Dreams may Come. Each are auteurs with a distinct look, vision and style of storytelling they bring across each of these films. Alex is dark and Gothic noir. Tarsem is about the fantastical and mythical while Vincent is an out the romantic and melancholy.

Today is the first day I am watching your content. I think I have watched about 5 episodes so far. I am really enjoying it. With all the things to watch these days I dont get to go back and watch any of my old favorites, your content is scratching that itch. The first time I watched this movie was the first time I got stoned. Couch locked the whole movie in absoloute awe. It was on TV and the movie that followed was Office Space...one of the most memorable nights of my life

Thank you for checking this film out....its deepier than it looks.

i love your background in the intro, seeing a shadow of you on two walls with different colors.

I love that the epic music from this movie (more specifically the epic drums, strings and horns used in the opening and final battle) was so awesome they kept reusing it for over a decade after, in trailers for movies like X-Men and so many others.

saw this in the cinema when it came out. then my prof showed this in class on my second year in film. one of the best sci fi noir films of all time.

Hell yeah! It was great watching you geek so hard for Dark City, it's got a special place in my heart and it never got the attention it deserved.

Love all your reactions, James, but especially this one. The whole concept blew me away. I am glad there is someone who geeks out like I do.